Freshmen (first-year students)

International students who do not take the ACT or SAT exams must submit a standardized English test score. The College Board’s Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams are accepted. Other standardized English exams are accepted only upon pre-approval from the Director of International & ESL Programs.

On the TOEFL, a minimum score of 500 is required for the paper-based test (pBT) and a 61 for the Internet-based test (iBT), and a minimum of 6.0 is required on the IELTS. Note that consideration is taken into account in determining English competence if a student has studied at an American institution.

The University of Charleston reserves the right to
administer an English proficiency test to any student whose primary language is
not English. If a student is found lacking in English proficiency, he or she
will be required to take the coursework in English as a Second Language (ESL)
currently offered at the University of Charleston. If the needed ESL coursework
is not offered, the University of Charleston reserves the right to refer the
student to an Intensive English Language Program.

Transcripts

Official transcripts as well as an official English translation from all prior and currently attended secondary and university level institutions are required for an admittance decision. Transcripts can be scanned and submitted via email.

Copy of current Passport.

Immunizations and tuberculosis screen.

International students must submit results of a PPD skin test (tuberculosis screen) performed within 6 months prior to enrollment regardless of prior BCG immunizations. If the results of the skin test are positive, a chest x-ray is required. In addition, all UC students must show documentation of immunization for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).

Students living on campus must document vaccination for Hepatitis B and meningococcal meningitis.

Students may not attend classes if immunization and tuberculosis screen have not been provided to the university.

Transfers

Evaluation of credits: International students who have taken
post-secondary courses outside the United States are required to have their
international credentials professionally evaluated by a third-party
organization. Two acceptable examples of an evaluation by a third-party
organization are a “course by course” evaluation by either of the following
organizations:

Note: students who do not present a “course by course”
WES or ECE evaluation may not receive transfer credit for previously completed
coursework.

Accepted International Students

Proof of Adequate Financial Resources. Since the U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization requires international students to certify financial responsibility, certification (six months banking statements) of financial resources sufficient to cover college costs must be submitted by the appropriate financial institution. In addition, If you are not the primary account holder, please have account holder submit an Affidavit of Support stating they are financially responsible for the entirety of your studies while enrolled at our Institution.

Prior to initiating the I-20 form, the University of Charleston must receive a $500 Enrollment & Housing deposit. Please Note: Deposit refunds will only be granted to those students who have interviewed for and been denied an F-1 Student Visa. For a refund, students must submit documentation to the University of Charleston within 2 weeks of the visa interview.

Please note when sending a payment through wire transfer, the sender must include the student's name and is responsible for any additional wire fees in order to ensure the University receives the total amount of $500.

Once the Enrollment and Housing deposit is confirmed, a designated school official will initiate the I-20 form.

When the I-20 is issued in SEVIS, you will be contacted by the designated school official to proceed in requesting your I-20 delivery. Admissions Office requires that you use University Express Mail Service to have your I-20, acceptance letter, and admissions packet be sent to you. Please note that requesting your immigration documents through University Express Mail Service is at YOUR expense. This service uses DHL and FedEx both of which require payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover cards only).

You will be required to create your own user name and password in order to create an account. To request shipment, you will need your mailing address, e-mail address, phone number and credit card information. You may request shipment either to your foreign address, or to a U.S. contact address. If your I-20 will be sent to a U.S. contact address, please include the name of the person who lives at that address. Please pay close attention to the information submitted, as errors in the credit card information or submitting incorrect or incomplete address information will result in a delay in the mailing of your I-20. If you experience any difficulty in registering and processing the shipment, please use the “Help” link in the site for step by step instructions. If you have additional questions about how to use this service, please e-mail student.support@eshipglobal.com or go to eShipGlobal, Inc.

Schedule your visa interview with the United States Consular. (Canadian residents do not need a visa therefore no interview is required). For detailed information about the visa process, including a list of required documents and fees, please go to http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html#5 . Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Payment expectations of the University of Charleston require that the student’s remaining cost of attendance be paid in full no later than the first day of class.